Investment Banking Associate | Business Services

Houlihan Lokey; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Houlihan Lokey’s Corporate Finance team in Los Angeles seeks an Associate to support M&A transactions. You will build financial models, prepare market materials, and conduct due diligence for deals with leading clients.

The role emphasizes teamwork, high-quality analyses, and client-facing presentations. You will collaborate with senior bankers on valuation work, develop marketing decks, and contribute to deal execution in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of accounting and finance.
• 3+ years of Investment Banking experience.
• Strong analytical and qualitative abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Hands-on M&A transaction experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, analyze, and explain historical and projected financial information.
• Coordinate and perform business due diligence for M&A transactions.
• Prepare marketing materials and confidential information presentations.
• Perform valuation and ad hoc financial analyses.
• Support senior bankers on deal execution and client communications.

Skills

Accounting & Finance

Investment Banking

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Excel/PowerPoint/Word

Public speaking

M&A experience

Business Services exposure

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Business Unit:Corporate FinanceIndustry:Business ServicesOverviewHoulihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data-driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com.Corporate FinanceHoulihan Lokey has extensive expertise in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, activist shareholder and takeover defense, and other related advisory services for a broad range of U.S. and international clients. Our experience in M&A has earned us consistent recognition throughout the industry. In 2025, LSEG ranked our firm the No. 1 investment bank for all global M&A transactions.Business ServicesHoulihan Lokey’s Business Services Group offers M&A advisory, capital raising, valuation, and corporate restructurings to public and private companies. We work with companies providing professional and technology-related services across a number of end markets and regularly collaborate with other Houlihan Lokey industry and product groups to bring the highest level of knowledge, services, and relationships to our clients.Our team covers a broad array of sectors, with bankers dedicated to each of our primary coverage areas. We maintain deep, senior-level relationships with major strategic and financial buyers of professional and technology-related services companies, as well as large, public, and private company thought leaders within the industry.As one of the leading M&A advisors in our sector, we help open doors to opportunities—whether our clients are seeking a strategic or financial partner in a change-of-control or minority-investment transaction.Job DescriptionAssociates are primarily responsible for the creation and oversight of financial models, marketing materials, internal and external presentations, as well as performing research and various analyses in support of new business generation and the execution of M&A transactions. Associates are afforded meaningful responsibility and are generally members of four-person deal teams, comprising a Managing Director, Vice President, Associate, and Financial Analyst.The Business Services team has particularly strong sector practices in the areas of Environmental Services, Training & Education, Transportation & Logistics, Marketing Services, IT Services, BPO Services, Information Services, Engineering & Construction, Testing, Inspection & Certification, and Rental Service.As part of our team, you will:Prepare, analyze, and explain historical and projected financial informationCoordinate and perform business due diligence and execute M&A transactionsPrepare marketing materials, confidential information presentations, management presentations, and other presentations as neededPerform valuation and ad hoc financial analysesAssist in the marketing and execution of existing engagementsBuild relationships and maintain direct contact with clients, prospective clients, and professional advisorsCommunicate effectively with all members of the team, including the supervision and mentoring of junior staff membersThe environment at Houlihan Lokey is both collegial and entrepreneurial. Teamwork is essential to the firm’s success. At the same time, creativity and new ideas are encouraged. Associates are given substantial responsibility and are encouraged to help us grow our business.Basic QualificationsAdvanced knowledge of accounting and financeUndergraduate degree3+ years of Investment Banking experienceStrong analytical/technical and qualitative abilitiesPreferred QualificationsExcellent verbal and written communication skillsStrong financial and computer skills (Excel, Word and PowerPoint)Excellent public speaking and presentation skillsAbility to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple project deliverables simultaneouslyExtensive operational financial modeling and valuation experienceHands-on M&A experienceTransaction experience in Business Services is a plusCompensation and BenefitsHoulihan Lokey is committed to providing its employees with an exciting career opportunity and competitive total compensation package, which may include other components such as discretionary incentive compensation. The firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible salary range for this role at the time of posting is:$175,000 - $225,000Actual salary at the time of hire may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant qualifications, skills, and experience and the location where this position may be filled.Houlihan Lokey provides a competitive benefits package. Our current benefits offerings can be found here:2026 BenefitsWe are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.#LI-119454